What's the news?
Hyundai has announced prices and specifications for the turbocharged variant of the Veloster coupé. The hot version of the 1+2 coupé will cost £21,995 and arrives in showrooms from September 24.
Exterior
The Veloster Turbo SE retains the somewhat unique 1+2 door configuration but deeper bumpers, new fog lights front and rear, a new diffuser and twin exhaust pipes help to differentiate it from the standard car.
Three new colour options are available on the new car: White Crystal, Phantom Black and Matt Grey. A redesigned rear spoiler, 'Turbo' badge for the boot lid and unique 18-inch alloys complete the look.
Interior
Inside, Hyundai has lavished the range-topping Veloster with equipment. A seven-inch touchscreen satellite navigation system is included as standard, as is an upgraded eight-speaker sound system.
The big news however is the addition of redesigned leather seats. The electrically adjustable chairs feature lumbar support for when you are threading the Veloster through corners and just in case you forget it, the "Turbo" nomenclature is embossed on the driver's and passenger's seats.
Mechanicals
The Veloster Turbo SE is the first vehicle to feature Hyundai's new twin-scroll turbocharged 1.6-litre GDI engine. The result is 186hp and 265Nm that is transmitted to the tarmac via a six-speed manual transmission with unique gear ratios. It is not exactly what you would call rapid, taking 8.4 seconds to hit 62mph from standstill and topping out at 133mph, but it compares favourably with similarly priced coupés like the Vauxhall Astra GTC and Volkswagen Scirocco.
Anything else?
Like all Hyundais the Veloster Turbo SE comes with a five-year warranty, five years' roadside assistance and five years' vehicle health checks.
Paul Healy - 28 Aug 2012